Adam Lallana: I thought shock England call-up was a prank

Southampton midfielder
Adam Lallana thought he was the victim of a wind-up when he heard that he had been called up to the senior England squad for the first time.

Adam Lallana (left) has hit the ground running in the Premier League (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old was a late addition for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier at home to Ukraine alongside Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Jake Livermore, the Spurs midfielder.

Raheem Sterling is another shock inclusion (Picture: Reuters)

‘I’m totally shocked to be honest, and I didn’t think the gaffer [ Nigel Adkins ] was being serious when he called to tell me this morning,’ said Lallana, who has already been capped at under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels.

‘I was at home about to head into the training ground when he called – I think I must have asked if he was having me on a dozen times.

‘It’s such a proud accomplishment to be called up to play for your country at any level, but to be called into the senior side is probably the proudest moment of my career so far.’

The three players were brought in after illness victim Theo Walcott returned to Arsenal and Daniel Sturridge complained of stomach cramps.

John Terry had already withdrawn after suffering an ankle strain in Friday’s 5-0 win in Moldova.

‘I’ve been called up quite late so I’m realistic in accepting I might not be that heavily involved,’ said the Southampton academy product, who was called up too late to take part in training today.

‘But the fact that I will be around such experienced international players is something I am really excited about.’